One measure against having cold

What do you do when you have a cold? Some go to doctors or pharmacies for medicine. Others eat nutritious meal and take plenty of rest. Of course these are the main measures for a cold.

On the other hand, there are some folk remedies for it. In Japan it is said hot lemonade or hot kudzu drink with ginger is good. Tamagozake (Japanese sake mixed with egg and sugar) also works on adults. For sore throat, white radish drink will ease your pain. Here is a recipe for this drink.

1. Cube the white radish and put them into the jar or bottle.

2. Add some honey up to covering the radish.

3. Keep the container till you find supernatant liquid.

4. Drink the liquid as it is. Add hot water if desired.

What are folk remedies in your country?

Baseball! – Three Japanese samurai face in the World Series

The Major Leagues World Series has just begun today. It’s striking that three Japanese players play as an opponent for the first time in the Major League history – Kazuo Matsui of the Colorado Rockies vs. Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima of the Boston Red Sox.

Kazuo and Daisuke used to play together in the Seibu Lions, one of the greatest team that had been the first division of the league for over 25 years, as star player. It’s immeasurable how much they contributed to Lions’ Pacific League victory in 2002.
Okajima used to play in the Nippon Ham Fighters, which won the championship last year. Although he was not a “star”, he gained a strong position as reliever.

Detracting from the baseball a bit, Kazuo really loves his daughter. He told on TV interview a few years ago that his daughter’s name was sewed on his glove instead of his wife’s. (God knows how much his wife got angry… ;p)

Daisuke is going to be a starter on 3rd game. How exciting to see a face-off between previous Lions players in such a big game!

Get Energy! – Eel Day

For preventing summer fatigue, people in Japan eat sustaining food like grilled meat or curry rice. Especially on Doyo-no Ushi no hi, the day of the Ox in midsummer, many Japanese eat eel. *The day of the Ox changes every year.

In the mid 18th, a poor eel restaurant owner asked the multi-talented doctor Gennai Hiraga how to increase the sales. Gennai gave the advice to put the posters saying “Today is the day of the Ox!” being inspired by the legend that people don’t suffer from summer fatigue when they eat food beginning from the letter “u” in Japanese on that day. (Eel is called unagi in Japanese.)

This eel restaurant got more sales after putting poster. This story is regarded as the one of the reason to eat eel meal on the day.

Eel is expensive, but it is good chance to enjoy traditional kabayaki (charcoal-grilled eel) on this “eel day”.

Summer Battle - The Upper House Election

The most exited topic in recent Japanese news is the election of the House of Councilors, taking place on July 29. Since the imperfect management of payment record into the pension system was brought to light, the national annuity is one of the main issues in this election and each candidate and party runs a zealous election campaign.

Public interest in the election is relatively high. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the number of early voting increased in 54% compare with that of the last election. On the other hand, some people, especially the youth, don’t seem to give their mind to it. Some don’t think the pension issue concerns their own future.

Unaffiliated people might decide the outcome of the election. The importance of each vote is universal.

Teru-teru Bozu – Angel of Sunshine

Imagine that you’ll go to beach tomorrow. Blue sky, sea breeze, and suntan… it makes you excited. However the weather forecast says it will rain tomorrow…

Don’t worry. Teru-teru bozu will make your wish. Japanese, especially children, make this sunshine angel. Here is the process:

1. Prepare white paper or cloths and a string. (Facial tissue will often be used.)
2. Crumple paper to make a ball.
3. Place this ball on the center of the other paper.










4. Tie the paper with a string as a ball is wrapped.










When the doll is ready, please put it on the tringle or the space under the eaves.












Meanwhile, people are worried about water shortage in this summer. How can you wish for rain? – Oh, it’s simple, just put the sunshine doll upside down! (It may sound stupid, but it’s true!)

Mashiko - Village of Pottery

Mashiko is located in Tochigi Prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, and globally famous for its pottery art called Mashiko-yaki. Mashiko-yaki is simple and has warm touch, which attracts people all over the world. (I found some ceramic arts made by foreign ceramicists!) (Photo Right : Mashiko-yaki dolls for Hina-matsuri)

Many people visit this village during the big ceramic market which takes place twice a year, in spring and autumn. They can experience pottery making at some studios. It is fun and exciting to make your own and wait for finished art!

However I really recommend you to go there in weekdays and stay at a small hotel or B & B. It's so calm and that you will find time goes slow. Each accommodation has its own uniqueness; e.g. the B&B where I stayed has a cafe and Mashiko pottery gallery. Sink or doorknob are made of Mashiko-yaki. In addition, Mashiko enjoys beautiful nature. You will enjoy greenery in the daytime and star shining clearly in the calm night. (Photo Left: Mashiko pottery sink)

Mashiko will make you renew your heart. Hope you appreciate every moment in Mashiko.

How to get there

From Narita Airport: (About 3hours total) Take Keisei Line to Keisei-Ueno station, then change to JR line from Ueno station to Utsunomiya station by Tohoku Bullet Train. From Utsunomiya station, Tohya bus takes you to Mashiko Village. (Bus leaves every hour from platform 14.)

From Nikko city: (About 1hour and 40 mins. total) Take JR Nikko Line to Utsunomiya station, then take Tohya bus to Mashiko area.

St. Valentine's Day - The "Bitter and Sweet" Day

St. Valentine's Day in Japan seems to be different from that in other countries.
One of big differences is that only women give some gifts to men. It might be because woman used to feel too embarrassed to tell a guy her feeling. St. Valentine's Day is a good chance to express how much she loves him.

It is customary for women to give chocolates to men. Many department stores or sweets shops sell many kinds of chocolates with special decoration. Some say that Valentine chocolate is just a business purpose for confectioneries, but Japanese enjoy purchasing this special sweets.

You might be surprised to hear that Japanese give chocolates not only their boyfriend or husband, but also friends, bosses, superiors in their companies! We call this chocolate in Japanese, "giri choco". It literally means "obligation chocolates". Some working women give chocolates to exacting and unfashionable bosses.

However, they don't waste the sweets; Valentine chocolate leads them good communication. They can express their thanks for bosses. Bosses feel happy about it. Giving chocolates on February 14th is one of typical Japanese gift-giving customs.

By the way, many boys are very interested in how many chocolates they can receive from girls.
Don't cry for bitter result; only one sweet chocolate saves your heart!

Good Bye, Bad Luck!

When you go to shrines or temples in Japan, especially in new year season, you'll find a notice about "The unlucky age of the year". It is called "yakudoshi" in Japanese. It is said that the unlucky age is 33 for woman and 42 for man. (This age differs from from each temple.) Many Japanese in yakudoshi have special service to drive evil spirit away.



To have this service, fill in the form at the reception first. Then go to the special room for prayer to have the service. During the service, monks light a holy fire with chanting the sutra. You may be requested to chant sutra with your palms together, or to bow to the statue of Buddha. After the service, a wooden or paper talisman is provided to you. (Light photo : a paper talisman.)



Don't worry even if you miss the chance of new year service. It is said that the bad luck will be driven away if you go to a temple to expel evil spirits by setsubun day. Hope all of you have a happy year!

New Year Porridge

It is common worldwide to celebrate new year. In Japan, we enjoy eating special meals for new year and drinking sake during new year holiday. Some have parties with their families and friends. Others go out and have nice dishes which we don't eat in our daily life.

Imagine how your stomach would be if you eat too much... It must be crying when you appreciate many ricecakes or much alcohol. So it is customary for Japanese to eat porridge on January 7th.

We call this porridge "nanakusa-gayu", which literally means "porridge with seven kinds of herbs". The seven herbs are, cicely, shepherd's purse, gogyo, chickweed, henbit, suzuna, and radish. This porridge is good for digestion, and it is believed that this protects people from illness though the year. It is very hard to pick all kinds of herbs in these days, but the Japanese can buy the pack of herbs at the supermarket.

Nanakusa-gayu is good for health, but don't eat too much!!

Happy Halloween Pumpkin Pie

Halloween has been getting more popular in Japan these days. Cute pumpkin ornaments, wired Halloween costumes and witch dresses are found in many shops. Not only children but adults enjoy "trick or treat" atmosphere in this season.

The pumpkin sweets is the one of pleasures in Halloween. Japanese-style confectionery has buns with squash paste. Pumpkin puddings or pies are in Western cake shops.

Let me introduce one of the best pumpkin pie in Japan, please. This is from Kobe, famous for many delicious cake shops. This pie is sold only in October for Halloween. Moderately sweet pumpkin paste is wrapped in the pie crust, so people who usually don't eat sweet can enjoy it.




Here is the information of the confectionery.

Fouquet's Kobe Yougashi Club
2-1-18, Shimoyamate-Dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe
3 mins walk from JR Sannomiya Station.

"Maid Cafe" - Welcome back, master!

Japanese animation is now popular not only in Japan, but across the globe. If you're interested in the world of the animated cartoon or you want to experience it, why don't you go to "Maid Cafe"?

There are many maid cafes especially in Akihabara, where figures or posters of animation film characters are sold, in Tokyo. Many "otaku", which means computer and animation nerds, visit there and enjoy animation fandom.

A waitress with maid costumes welcomes you saying, "Welcome back, master!". Many male customers feel "moe", happy, with this smiley treatment. You enjoy some games with "maid" as well as a cup of coffee.

"Maid Cafes" has not been only for otaku people any more since the movie about romance between otaku man and a beautiful woman was shown. Everyone comes there and enjoy this unique atmosphere, "Moe"......

It's cute! - Do you really think so?

I've never found that Japan has "Cute Culture" before reading the mail from my friend.

Her husband, who is from Hawaii, says that Japanese often use the word "kawaii", which means cute. For example, young girls say "choo kawaii", which means "very cute" when they find nice dresses or accessories. Some middle-aged women are crazy about high-school baseball pitcher with exclaiming "cute!".

Of course we say this word when we see tiny cats or babies. In addition, "cute" is often used for something/someone nice or cool, like good-looking women, well-designed suits. Japanese "kawaii" contains almost all of good impression for everything. That's why matured women like 20s or 30s feel happy when they are told "you are cute".

Japanese women know that they need the calm of mind that is suitable for their age. On the other hand, they don't want to forget their girlish sentiment for ever. That's woman mind.

August 31st - The hardest summer memory

For most elementary school students in Japan, August 31st is the hardest day in summer vacation.

The long summer vacation starts in many Japanese public schools (elementary, junior high/high schools) in late July and lasts for about 40 days. (Some schools in northern Japan have a little shorter holiday.) Students enjoy swimming, traveling, and doing what they can't usually do when they have classes in the school. They have precious experience during the summer.

On the other hand, students, especially in elementary schools, get much homework such as workbook, free topic research, handicraft, painting, and so on. They remember that they have a lot of homework to do at the timing that vacation is running out.

Then, happy vacation changes to "hell". Students rush into libraries to do research, access the websites for checking the weather. Some asks their parents to help finishing homework. Others do workbook till midnight. They manage to finish these tough works to turn them in the school on the first day of 2nd school term, September 1st.

The hardest memory changes into good memory in adulthood. Enjoy summer vacation, Japanese boys and girls!

Star Festival - Wishing upon stars

On July 7th, the Japanese prepare long pieces of colored paper written their wishes, and decorate bamboo grass with them and paper ornament. This is Star Festival, in Japanese, "Tanabata".

There is a Chinese myth about a couple, a cattleman and a weaver. They were hard workers, but they neglected to work after marriage. So the god decided to separate them, and made them meet only one day per a year.

People wish this couple to meet without any accidents, so they write the wishes on the papers.
Actually, however, they write their own wishes like "being healthy", "making dreams come true", "having a good partner" and so on.

What's your wish? Let's put it on colorful long cards.

Kamogawa - City of Japan's "Good old days"

Kamogawa City is located in the southern part of Chiba prefecture, and it takes about 2 hours by limited express from Tokyo Station. In general, it is famous for a aquarium, but there are many hidden nice spots to enjoy Kamogawa.

There are some studios of glass art and pottery, and you can experience blown glass or ceramic art in some studios. (Don't worry if your fingers are all thumbs. Studio staffs kindly help you. In fact, I could made a good vase which you see in the picture!)

Around a glass studio there are many rice fields; what impressed is people in this area don't use any chemical fertilizer or pesticides! So you can see lighting bugs in early summer - it's impossible in Tokyo or any other cities!!

If you are interested in everyday life culture of Japan in 10-40 years ago, I'd recommend you to visit an antique shop, called "Grim". It is located near JR Amo-Kamogawa station and has plenty things from antique kimono, artistic cups to magazine appendices.

Some good restaurants and shops don't want to advertise themselves, so it is a good idea to ask local people or explore your favorite. (Actually I found a very nice sushi bar in Kamogawa!!) Just enjoy calm weather and atmosphere!

100 yen Shop - Another "Convenience Store"

Now it's April - the season to start new life in Japan - new school, new job, new life.... Sounds very exiting!
Some of new starters, however, is struggling to manage for money. They need new furniture, new suits, cosmetics... And have to get commodities, pans and plates. So it's important to get them cheaper and easily.... Yes, 100 yen shop will help them!

"100 yen shop" is a kind of convenience store, but not like as Seven-Eleven or so. Various kinds of products from snacks, detergents and tableware to cosmetics, shirts and underwear are sold for 100 yen. (105 yen for including tax - about 1US$) The difference between 100 yen shop and Seven Eleven is that we can get small shelves at 100 yen shop, and eggs and box lunch at the latter. (Of course all products are not sold for 100 yen in convenience store.)

It's fun to enjoy shopping in this shop, but do not waste your money due to buying so many 100 yen stuffs!

Hama Rikyu Garden - Feel Nature in Tokyo

On hearing the word "Tokyo", what do you associate with it? You'll think of skyscrapers, electric shops in Akihabara, Tokyo Tower, busy businessmen, or traffic jam. Please add " beautiful wide garden" in your list from now on.

There is one of the famous beautiful garden called "Hama Rikyu Garden" in Shimbashi-Shiodome business district. This was originally constructed in 1654 for 4th Tokugawa shogun's brother, and opened in 1946 to people after repeating damage and repair.

We can enjoy greenery and flowers of season in the garden; now it's the best season for cherry blossom viewing. You also find a rape flower field in spring, cosmos field in autumn.




When you look up the top of pine trees, you'll see the high-rise buildings together around the gardens; you can experience current metropolitan Tokyo and traditional "Edo", which Tokyo was once called. It's like time traveling!

Taiyaki - Cute & Casual Sweet

You'll sometimes find that fish-shaped buns are sold in the supermarkets or stalls in the festivals in Japan.
The buns are called "Taiyaki", literally means "burned bream". Bream is regarded as a symbol of happiness or celebration, so it would seem that bream was used in this sweet's name.


Dough (mixed with water, flour, egg and a little sugar) is put on the fish-shaped iron plate, then sweet bean paste, custard cream or other sweet stuff are added. You can see the process making Taiyaki at most of shops.

Sometimes Japanese enjoy having the small "discussion" that from which part of Taiyaki you'll start to eat, head or tail. Taiyaki mixes with Japanese daily life well and plays an important role as communication tool among young and old.

White Mask - What happened in Japan?

If you visit Japan in early spring, you'll see many Japanese, regardless of age and sex, with white mask. It is slightly late for the season of flu, even getting wormer and homer.... And many women want to change the clothes from thick coat from soft shirts. Why Japanese wear a white mask though it doesn't seem fitting for spring fashion?

The answer is pollen allergy. Pollen of Japanese cedar or hinoki scatters throughout Japan in spring. The number of person who suffers from hay fever has been increasing, so otolaryngology hospitals are crowed in this season. ( Actually I saw the hospital flooded the patients, some of them couldn't enter the clinic!)

There are some foods and goods against this allergy in supermarkets and general stores. Hope cute masks, such as check, dot, and with pig nose, will replace the white ones.

Hina Matsuri - Doll's Festival

On March 3rd, Doll's festivals are celebrated throughout Japan.
"Hina-matsuri" is to observe girls' growth and pray for their further healthy growth. A pair of dolls which represent Heian era (from the end of 8th century to the end of 12th century) nobilities couple are displayed with some peach flowers at home and show windows.

As for food, they eat "hina arare" (pieces of fried rice cakes) as snack, and "chirashi-zushi" (sushi which is not hand-shaped nor rolled, but mixed with pieces of row fish, thin omelet, and dried mushrooms) as lunch or dinner. Food for Doll's festival is colorful and contains seasonal vegetables, so we can enjoy the coming of spring.

A Japanese tradition says that you'll be past marriageable age if you don't clean up the dolls after March 3rd. This doesn't seem to meet the trend of the time, but let's respect the traditional Japanese sensitivity of season!